The 

Beacon 

Bits

A weekly publication of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church

NW Color Logo w Name  
    

August 5, 2015   

 

 

Greetings!   

  



We hope that you can join us on
Sunday, August 9, 2015 for

Can I Get a Witness?

Our first and second principles are to uphold the inherent worth and dignity of all persons and to work for justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. We are called, from time to time, to bear witness to injustice. The UUA passed two resolutions at the General Assembly in June calling on UU congregations to bear witness. The first, to bear witness to racial injustice as we mourn the deaths of so many unarmed black women and men at the hands of law enforcement. The second resolution calls us to witness the ill treatment of undocumented persons in INS detention centers. Let us begin a conversation about how we, Northwoods, will respond to this call.

 

by guest speaker

Mary Branson  

 

with music by
Ray Cho and Friends


Religious Education this Sunday:

11:30 Service:
Children K-6: Turning Points RE Class in the Garden Room

Childcare will be provided in the nursery for younger children.
Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table.

Remember:
Northwoods is switching to a single service
schedule for the summer.

Summer Service Times:

Coffee and Conversation: 10:30am
Sermon: 11:30am only
Top Story
Have You Been Considering Membership at Northwoods?

Join us for the Pathways to Membership class on Sunday, August 9 from 1pm to 4pm.  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.

Complimentary lunch and childcare will be provided. Please RSVP to [email protected], and let us know if you have dietary restrictions or if you would like childcare.

Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church has been growing with The Woodlands for over 30 years. We are a community of caring individuals who find meaning through worship, service, fellowship, and religious education. Our congregation is diverse in the theologies and philosophies held by its members, and we value learning from each other.

Please come to the Pathways to Membership class and get to know us better. We hope you feel welcome among us and that you find here a spiritual home of celebration and insight.

 

Foundations: Church Governance
Chair for Congregational Life Sought

The Leadership Development Committee is looking for someone interested in chairing the Congregational Life Ministry.  This ministry is dedicated to "walking together by creating, strengthening, and repairing the congregation's threads of interconnection."  Committees under this ministry are conflict resolution, hospitality, lay ministry, membership, and the UU network.  The chair will report to the Committee on Ministries.
If you are interested in this position, please contact Shari Wood-Merriam, Dorothy Kennedy, Carol Hensley, Hal Meyers or our church administrator, Jamie Thompson at 281-298-2780.

 

Lend a Hand

The next church work party will be on Saturday, August 8, from 8am to 12pm. On the hitlist:
  • Work on the exterior: cleaning limbs, gardens, and gutters.
  • Deep clean to include cleaning out cabinets, refrigerator, light fixtures, window sills, sanctuary furniture, closets.
  • Changing light bulbs. 
  • Small repairs throughout the building.

 

Our new Building and Grounds chair, Ryan Hilleshiem, will provide breakfast pastries and fruit in the morning. 

 

Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church is Hiring!

We are currently requesting resumes for individuals interested in being our Lifespan Faith Development Coordinator.

This will be a part-time position assisting volunteer leaders with the Religious Education and Faith Development ministries of Northwoods.

For more information about the position, please click here.

Please forward resumes and your compensation expectations to [email protected] .

Cover letters are not required but are gladly accepted. 


 

 
Spirtual Life
Pizza and Planning with the  
Progressive Christian Fellowship 

The Northwoods Progressive Christian Fellowship will gather this Sunday night, August 9, at 6 pm at the Hammonds' for pizza and planning.

What do we want Northwoods' Progressive Christian Fellowship to be this next year? What should we be doing? When? And who among us can-and-will make it happen?

Pizza, salad, drinks, and brownies will be provided. Pitch in $5 per person for food cost as you can. Please RSVP to the Hammonds (281-465-4683), so they know how much food and drink is needed.

 

Congregational Life
Party Openings!
Service Auction parties still have openings!  If you want to attend, please contact the office ( [email protected]) to get the host/hostess' contact information and pay your host or Shari Wood-Merriam the stated amount.

August 2015

Brother Outsider Movie and Treats:  Teresa Allen hosts a screening of the unbelievable but true accomplishments of Bayard Ruskin, who organized the first march on Washington. Your amazement of this story is guaranteed. Discussion and light lunch provided.  Sunday, August 9, 2015. Teresa Allen. $15

 

September 2015

 End of Summer Pool Party: End the summer season with a splash! Join us in our backyard pool for an evening of water fun, BBQ, and drinks. Kids of all ages welcome. Saturday, September 5, 2015. 5:00 pm. Sam Turner & Joan O'Connell. $15

 

Parents Night Out - Pirate and Princess Bash (3-9 year olds): Hear yee, Hear yee and a yo, ho, ho. Calling all royalty and swashbucklers! You're invited to dress up in your favorite regal or pirate garb for a night of merriment and adventure. Children will first be invited to a child-friendly royal feast. Then they can make pirate hats, swords, scepters, and crowns of their choosing. There will be fin games and a hunt for pirate treasure! The evening will end with a regal snack, some pirate chanties and a royal surprise. 

Location: Either at Regina's home or Northwoods Church. Parents will be notified. Please bring some extra clothes for your child in case they want to change. Saturday, September 19, 2015. 5:30 to 10pm. Regina Puckett and Jamili Omar. $20

   

6th Annual Beverages, Bits & Bridge #4:  Join us for an evening of bridge, with beverages and bites (heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine and cocktails) and most important - bridge for aces and absolute beginners (Larry will teach the basics). Come ready to learn and play. We'll provide everything, including cheat sheets.  Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 7:00 pm. Larry & Stephanie Loomis-Price. $25
Attention Artists!

Opportunities abound for sharing your creations.

The Avant Garden Gallery Change Out and Reception
The next gallery change out is coming up. Drop off dates for artwork are:
  • Friday, September 4 (10am to 3pm)
  • Sunday, September 6 (12:30pm to 1:30pm)
  • Monday, September 7 (9:30am to 10:30am)

Please make sure to read the Gallery Policy and fill out your description page. Only one signed policy per year is needed. Bring your paperwork with your artwork.  All artwork must be ready to hang with appropriate hooks and wire, or display for jewelry or other small pieces.  


The Artists Reception is scheduled for September 12 from 6:00 - 7:30pm. The "Smalls" tables will be available! Please let Doni Langlois know if you are bringing smalls (art that is 8 x 11 inches or smaller) so that we have appropriate amount of tables!

To RSVP for "smalls," or to get copies of the paperwork, contact Doni: [email protected] or 281-788-6872

Arts in Action
The Arts in Action team is looking for at least 50 donated works of art. Art must have a value of at least $40. Collections are happening now. Contact Kate Rhoad if you would like to make a donation ([email protected].)

Coming Out For Love
Northwoods' third annual Coming Out For Love event will be in October, and this year the committee is putting out a call for art to be displayed and sold at the event. Artists, get started on appropriately themed art (rainbows, anyone?) The theme this year is "Love Wins." More information will be coming soon.

 

 Mark your calendars for August 22nd!
The Arts in Action:
Standing on the Side of Love!


Tickets for the Art Dash go on sale this Sunday at the bourse table near the
entrance to the church.  Only 50 tickets will be sold for 50 pieces of ready to hang, fine art.  Each ticket is $35 and guarantees the ticket holder their choice, depending on when their ticket number is drawn. Proceeds from the Dash go to Northwoods' SEE Justice Ministry. Get your ticket now. Tickets will be sold for only two more Sundays at the bourse table.

SEE Justice is currently choosing five charities to benefit from the night's festivities. Entertainment will include music, poets, storytellers, and stand-up comedy. Attendance is free.  Contributions to the chosen charities is voluntary.

Last year's event was a wild success. Save the date, buy an Art Dash ticket, and come enjoy a night of fun for a great cause.

If you have suitable art to donate for the Dash, please give a shout out to Kate Rhoad: [email protected]. If you can bring a savory or a sweet to share, contact Susan Hammond: [email protected]. If you want to be an early bird and buy an Art Dash ticket by email, contact: Rusty Rhoad at [email protected].


 

 
Vermicelli, Anyone?

Lunch Bunch will meet at 1:00 pm on Sunday, August 9, at Kim Son Cafe, on the corner of Six Pines Drive and Lake Robbins Drive. Join us for dim sum, sushi, and other Vietnamese and Chinese delights!

Visit the Lunch Bunch Facebook page for updates and Lunch Bunch news.

Questions, ask Beth or Phil Marshall

 

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:  

 

Ann McAlpin

President

 

Lisa Cronce 

President-Elect

 

Larry Loomis-Price 

Past President 

  

Rud Merriam

Treasurer   

 

Bob Long 

Parliamentarian

 

Cyndie Mahaney 

Secretary 


John DeCaire

At Large

 

Kate Rhoad 

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:

 

Linda Nadler 

Chair

 

Mary Chimarusti
Sharon Ossowski

Jeff Graeber
David Shontz 

Beth Marshall 

Congregational Life

Temporary Chair: 
Sharron Ossowski


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.

 

 
REMinistryReligious Education

Children and Youth Registration Now Open!

 

Registration is now open for Fall Children and Youth Religious Education. Whether your child is 18 months old or 18 years old, it's important that they be registered so that we can get accurate numbers for all of our programs, youth group and childcare included. The registration list is what helps us 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 upcoming class information. 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:

  • Junior High Youth Orientation (grades 7 and 8) August 23 12:30 pm
  • Children's Orientation (entering sixth grade and younger): August 30 10:30 am
  • High School Youth Orientation (grades 9-12) August 30 1 pm

Youth are welcome to attend orientation as well as parents, and there will be childcare available during the children's orientation.

 

Youth Pool Party August 16
Bring a friend! Make a splash!

On Sunday August 16 after service, Northwoods high school teens and their families are invited to a pool party. Youth, you are also welcome to bring a friend! Bring more than one! We'll be going to Sawmill pool at 2200 Millpark Dr, just a couple minutes' drive from church.

While the teens hang out on their own, this is also an opportunity for the parents to connect and socialize. Bring a favorite teen food to share and whatever you like to drink, and Northwoods will provide water.

If you or your teen's friends have Woodlands Township pool passes, please use them for entrance. If you do not have pool passes, Northwoods will purchase punch cards, so everyone can enter with the best price.

Northwoods teens and their friends are free, and we ask adults for a donation of $5 per person. Please RSVP to Linda Nadler at [email protected] and let her know how many punch cards to purchase. Please RSVP by Thursday, August 13, so we can plan to have the correct number of punch cards.

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:

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.

Children's Chapel: Last but far from least, Children's Chapel is one of the most special things we offer the children of Northwoods. 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. 

 

For more information, contact [email protected].   

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
Invitation to Join Share the Plate Committee
Do you want to select the recipients for Share the Plate donations?

Northwoods needs three to four members or established friends to join a committee  whose primary purpose is to select organizations to be the recipients of Share the Plate donations. The Share the Plate committee is the easiest committee to be on - most meetings are held online via email. The challenge is in selecting the recipient.

The Share the Plate Committee was created to provide cash grants to social action projects that promise to make a concrete, positive contribution to the welfare of those they serve. To that end, one Sunday each month, a charity organization is chosen from member recommendations to receive the undirected cash donations in the collection plate for that Sunday, and all checks marked "Share the Plate" in the memo field. The recipient must be a 501c3 non-profit organization who supports a charitable purpose that is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles and that exemplifies Northwoods' Mission and Vision. Share the Plate is a function of our Social, Environmental, and Economic Justice Ministry.

Details of the policy and nominating criteria are found here.

If social action is important to you, and if you desire to directly assist charities that speak to you, please volunteer! Contact Bob Long by email ([email protected]) or by phone - (281) 914-9837.
  

 
Help with Fair Trade Sales and Micro-lending

Northwoods SEE Justice Committee is looking for volunteers to work with the Fair Trade coffee and chocolate sales. The proceeds go to support micro-lending, so helping with this project is perfect for anyone who is interested in making a difference for social justice  (through promoting www.oikocreditusa.orgfair trade and environmental sustainability too.) We have decided to support Oikocredit USA-- a micro-lending foundation which sponsored a booth at GA; UUA will match gifts of more than $1000 from churches.  For more information visit  or call Teresa Allen at 281-350-3052.

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.
  • Giving Updates: SEE Justice needs someone to keep an eye on the donations and report to the congregation regularly. 

 

Millbend Coffeehouse Presents
Smythe & Taylor
August 8, 2015
   
A world-touring and award-winning duo for ten years, TC Smythe and Gary Taylor now live 900 miles apart and only perform together occasionally.  It is lucky for us that we will get to listen to this talented pair for only a twenty dollar suggested donation.

This fund raiser concert will entertain the audience at Millbend Coffeehouse on Saturday, August 8 at 7:30 pm.  Millbend Coffeehouse is located in the Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church on 1370 N. Millbend Dr. The Woodlands, TX 77380. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance at www.millbend.org.

All proceeds from the concert and the concession will go to Fill the Gap, a program of the Peace and Justice Network of Montgomery County, Inc.  Fill the Gap pays rent and or utility deposits for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

 

 

SEE Justice Community Project  

 

The Northwoods SEE Justice Committee has decided to collect books for the Seed to Read Project through Children's Books on Wheels at Tamina. We will take books for children and young adults as well as books for adults. No magazines or technical manuals please. If you  have any new or gently-used books, bring them to church between now and October 1st and place them in the box in the hall.  Call Teresa at 281-350-3052 with questions or if you have large boxes of books.




 

 

 
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




Thursday August 6, 2015
6:30 PM    Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal
7:00 PM    Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry

Friday August 7, 2015
10:00 AM    Northwoods Play Group

Saturday August 8, 2015
8:00 AM    Church Work Day
10:00 AM    The Humanist Group
7:30 PM    Millbend Coffeehouse

Sunday August 9, 2015
12:30 PM    Pathways to Membership
1:00 PM    Service Auction Event: Movie and Treats Night
6:00 PM    Progressive Christian Fellowship Gathering at the Hammonds

Monday August 10, 2015
7:00 PM    Courageously Coed Book Group

Tuesday August 11, 2015
5:00 PM    Blue Mountain Meditation
7:00 PM    Folk Choir Rehearsal

Thursday August 13, 2015
12:00 PM    Toastmasters
6:30 PM    Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal

Friday August 14, 2015
10:00 AM    Northwoods Play Group

Saturday August 15, 2015
10:00 AM    Women's Book Group




 
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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