The 

Beacon 

Bits

A weekly publication of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church

NW Color Logo w Name  
    

September 30, 2015 

 
 
Greetings!   
  


We hope that you can join us on
Sunday, October 4, 2015

for

Harvest of the Heart

by Interim Minister
Rev. Donna Renfro
 
with music by
Larry Loomis-Price
and
Ray Cho



Religious Education this Sunday:

This Sunday is an inter-generational service. Children are invited to stay in the sanctuary and worship with the congregation. Busy bags will be available to keep hands busy, and childcare is available for our youngest visitors in the childcare room.

Adult Forum, between services
We All Have Ways of Understanding the World: Respecting
Humanism and Spirituality
by guest speaker: Vicky Bradley 

Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table.


First Service: 9:30am 
Coffee and Conversation: 10:30am 
Second Service: 11:30am
In This Issue
From Rev. Donna
Hello Northwoods friends and members,

This Sunday will be a worship service for all ages.It is my goal to have one service each month where all ages are together for the entire service. And here's why. Research is showing that children and teens who leave this religion as adults do so mostly because they have not had the experience of worship 'in the big room' as some UU children call the sanctuaries of our churches. We've been saying this for a long time, and it's hard to make the change from the style of worship that draws many adult UU's to our congregations, to one that is more accepting of the noises and movements that come with children and teens being involved. I read a blog recently about a transcendent moment that a father shared together with his young son in worship, that touched me deeply, brought me to tears actually. We never know when those moments of transcendence and connection come. It's not like we put it in the order of service "Time for Transcendent Moment". I ask you all not to stay home on all ages worship Sundays, either families with children or without. I've heard that the order of service here has not changed here in 9 years, so I ask you to bear with us and let us know what matters most to you in worship. I also invite you to read this article about probably the most famous person who was raised in a UU congregation and who did not stay, and invite you to talk to me about it, and among yourselves.
 
Peace and Blessings,

Rev. Donna
 
Foundations: Church Governance
Mission: Possible!!!
Details

Northwoods Service Auction is our biggest fundraiser of the year, so come out and play with us!  Please join us on October 24th for costumes, food, and fun! Look for an extra special Beacon Bits Mailing later in the week with detailed information to help you make the most of this year's auction.

Stop by the Service Auction table between services each Sunday until October 18th to complete your service auction contracts, ask questions, and get excited! If you have questions or would like a Service Auction Contract emailed to you, please contact us at [email protected].

Remember:  The earlier you turn in your contract, the more raffle tickets you receive!

Service Auction Links:
Keep up to date with Service Auction events by visiting the Service Auction calendar.   
 
If you would like to make a donation for the Service Auction, please complete this online form, or print and complete this paper form.

Ideas on how you can participate

Mission: Possible!! 
Date:
Saturday October 24, 2015 
Costumes: Encouraged but not required 
Food: Bring some to share 
Fun: Affirmative! 
Entertainment Value: Explosive!
 
 

Service Auction Team Still Looking for
Explosive Service Auction Items
  
The SAC (Service Auction Committee) is requesting the cooperation of all assets (Northwoods members and friends) in a mission of great importance. The mission, should you choose to accept, is to offer engagements that will be of interest to other Northwoods assets for the purpose of increasing loot at the Service Auction event. To be prepared for this mission, assets should review this material, use their guile and wit to create Service Auction events, and send their contributions via this online form.
 
Service Auction Directives:
Seek Out, Collect, Return

The Service Auction has a mission for all agents (aka Northwoods members and friends.) Your mission is simple: collect and return as many paper towel and wrapping tubes as possible. This mission is top secret and further details of the mission will not be released at this time.  The drop zone for the tubes is the church office.
 
Missing in Action: White Tables

If you have borrowed a white plastic table from Northwoods please return it ASAP so we know how many we need to rent for Service Auction. 
 
 Service Auction
LAST CHANCE for the 2014-2015 Year

Only one party has openings in October.  If you want to attend, please contact the office ([email protected] ) to sign up.

Open Mike for Musicians:  This experimental version of open mike night is for musicians to perform. Any music is fair game--a  Beethoven sonata to an a cappella rendition of "Roll Me Over in the Clover" and anything in between--as long as YOU perform it. A house concert where you provide the concert, if you will. Comes with the usual assortment of appetizers, desserts, and drinks. NOTE: If you sign up for one of these slots, you are expected to perform.  Saturday, October 3 at 6:30pm.  Kate & Rusty Rhoad and Susan Ridgeway. $30.


 
Rummage Sale Update

The date for the Rummage Sale has officially been announced. Save the date! The 2016 Rummage Sale will be on Saturday, April 2. Set up will take place on Friday, April 1. Mark your calendars to help out on Friday and shop on Saturday. 

The Rummage sale might be many months away but the donations are already coming in. If you have items to donate, or if you have ideas for storage solutions for the many donations already received, contact Kate Rhoad ([email protected]).
 
Congregational Life
Northwoods Playgroup Looking for New Friends

The members of the Northwoods Playgroup would love to expand their circle. Do you have children that need some play time? Do you have ideas for fun meet ups? The group is currently meeting at various parks in The Woodlands on Fridays at 10:30am, but they are open to new ideas if you have any!  Contact Carrie Smith by phone or email (443-336-9813 or [email protected].)
Japanese With the Bunch

Lunch Bunch will be going to Sakekawa on October 4 at the corner of Technology Forest and Research Forest (4221 Research Forest Drive in The Woodlands.)

 
Questions? Ask Phil or Beth Marshall

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

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
 
Leadership Development Committee

Chair
Dorothy Kennedy
Carol Hensley
Hal Meyers
 
 
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.

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 Fridays at 10:30am. For more information please contact Carrie Smith.  
 
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
Religious Education and Exploration - Contacts

Jennifer Simpson is our new Coordinator for Lifespan Faith Development starting September 20th. Jenn can be reached by email ([email protected]) or phone (281-298-2780). She is available from 1pm to 3:30pm on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment, and on Sundays. Jenn's focus will be coordinating the efforts for religious education and exploration for children and teens, and she will work closely with the RE Committee Chair, Brenda Hutchinson to continue to provide quality RE for Northwoods children.

Rev Donna Renfro will consult with Sue Powell for Adult RE programs and Small Group Ministry.
 
OWL Training Returns to Northwoods

We are excited to be able to bring OWL back to Northwoods.

OWL (Our Whole Lives Lifespan Sexuality Education) classes will be held for
students in grades K-1st, 4th-6th and 7th-9th. Created by the UUA and the
UCC, this values based educational program provides age appropriate
information in separate classes. OWL provides young people information to
understand the changes they will experience, while fostering the development
of self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice and inclusivity.

Classes will be spread out over 2 or 4 days and the students will attend all
sessions listed for their age group.

OWL schedule of classes:
  • Grades K-1st: October 3 and November 7, 2015, 9:00-4:00
  • Grades 4th-6th: January 9 and February 6, 2016, 9:00-4:00
  • Grades 7th-9th: October 3, November 7, 2015, January 9 and February 6, 2016, 9:00-4:00
To register your child please click here. For more information about hte OWL program, visit the UUA information page here. You can also learn more about OWL during the Adult Forum on September 13.

For more information please contact Brenda Hutchinson.

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
Coming Out For Love

The 3rd Annual National Coming Out Day Celebration at Northwoods will be held Saturday, October 10 from 1-3pm.

The event will feature personal stories, music, and share information to celebrate this day.  Speakers will discuss the difference that coming out and finally being open about yourself can make. We will also have information and presentations about support groups and resources that are available.  The celebration will wrap up with a session on being a good ally to someone when they come out. This event is open to all church members and guests, and will cover all aspects of the Gay/Lesbian/Transgender/Queer/Questioning spectrum.
We will be taking a collection to benefit Montgomery County PFLAG.

Volunteers are needed to help make this event work, including set up, clean up, kitchen aid, greeters and help with parking.  We would also appreciate it if any one can bring finger foods or drinks for snacks during the breaks.

If you can help please speak to Jerry Hensel (832-928-1667 or [email protected].  
Share the Plate Success!

Northwoods members, friends, and visitors generously donated $772 to the Gathering Place in Conroe, a resource for those families struggling with a member that suffers with memory loss. Thank you for making the return of Share the Plate such a success!
 
SEE Justice is Looking For...

Do you have a whiteboard that you no longer need?  Millbend Coffeehouse needs one to display the "charity of the evening" choices at our events.

Teresa Allen is looking for two missing items: a DVD of "The New Jim Crow" featuring Michelle Alexander and Robert Putnam's book, Bowling Alone. Please call 281-350-3052 is you see these items.
 
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 October 1, 2015
12:00 PM  Toastmasters
6:30 PM    Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal
7:00 PM    Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry
                   Northwoods Men's Group

Friday October 2, 2015
10:00 AM    Northwoods Play Group

Saturday October 3, 2015
9:00 AM      OWL Training
10:00 AM    Men's Book Group
 
Sunday October 4, 2015
12:30 PM    SEE Justice Meeting
1:00 PM      Lay Ministry/Pastoral Care Team Meeting

Monday October 5, 2015
7:00 PM    Northwoods Writers' Group

Tuesday October 6, 2015
5:00 PM    Blue Mountain
7:00 PM    Folk Choir Rehearsal

Thursday October 8, 2015
6:30 PM    Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal

Friday October 9, 2015
10:30 AM    Northwoods Play Group

Saturday October 10, 2015
10:00 AM    The Humanist Group
12:00 PM    Coming Out For Love - 3rd Annual
7:30 PM       Millbend Coffeehouse

Sunday October 11, 2015
1:00 PM    Board of Trustees
6:00 PM    Sangha and Meditation Group - Open to Northwoods friends and members
 
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
 
Interim Minister: Reverend Donna Renfro
Phone 281-298-2780
Office Hours:

Monday: Sabbath and day of rest. Emergency calls only, please.

Tuesday: Thursday 10am to 3pm

Friday: Sermon Writing Day, 10am to 3pm, by appointment only

Saturday: by appointment only

Sunday: Worship


Congregational Administrator: Jamie Thompson
Phone 281-298-2780   
Church Office Hours:  Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 am- 3pm 
   
Coordinator of Lifespan Faith Development: Jennifer Simpson
[email protected]
Phone 281-298-2780

  
 
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