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Greetings!
We hope that you can join us on
Sunday, October 11, 2015
for
How Can Love be Wrong?
by Interim Minister
Rev. Donna Renfro
with music by
Pianist: Ken Garrick
Videos arranged by Susan Powers
Religious Education this Sunday:9:30 Service:2- and 3-year-olds: Celebrate! Class - Childcare room pre-K and kindergartners (ages 4-6): Spirit Play - Spirit Play Classroom 1st through 3rd grade (ages 7-9): Explorers I - Explorers I class, next to library 4th through 6th grade (ages 10-12): Explorers II - Room 10, upstairs 7th and 8th grade: ChUUse Your Own Adventure- teen room 9th-12th grade: ChUUse Your Own Adventure- teen room 11:30 service:2- and 3-year-olds: Celebrate! Class - Childcare room pre-K and kindergartners (ages 4-6): Spirit Play- Spirit Play Classroom 1st through 3rd grade (ages 7-9): Explorers I - Explorers I class, next to library 4th through 6th grade (ages 10-12): Explorers II - Room 10, upstairs 7th and 8th grade: WhUU Are YUU? UU Identity Program - garden room 9th-12th grade: YRUU - teen room
Adult Forum, between services in the Garden Room:National Coming Out Day... A Day to step up and be an AllySpeaker: Jerry Hensel
Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table.
First Service: 9:30am
Coffee and Conversation: 10:30am
Second Service: 11:30am
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Hello Northwoods friends and members,
It's been just over a month that I've been your minister. Your welcome to me has been gracious and expansive.I wanted us to get to know and trust each other a bit before we dove into official interim work. I have asked you to set up appointments to meet with me individually at church or invite me to your homes, and I appreciate all who have taken me up on those offers.
Now it's time to wade in a little deeper. We will be setting up specific times for folks to come and talk with me one on one. I ask all who have been in leadership roles who have not yet spoken with me, and any congregant who experienced grief or anger over the changes at Northwoods in the last few years to sign up. Next we will work in small groups and we will have sign-ups for these as well.
I told you once that the work of the interim ministry time is about systems thinking, and that it's not therapy, yet it does delve into how we each take responsibility for ourselves. I invite you to look at this short presentation to understand systems work.
You also will want to remember what your leadership gave as the focus for our time together:
- Ministerial Role: Continue the healing process from the failed ministry; resume Sunday morning ministerial duties to create foundation for settled minister
- Stewardship: Strengthen financial health of the congregation through open and honest discussion of giving
- Membership: Improve new member/visitor assimilation; retention; address the "revolving door" syndrome
- Governance Structure: Help us define who we are and where we are headed; are we a program church or a pastoral church?
- Communication: Improve internal/external conversations through various media (digital, social, traditional); create consistent marketing image
You are a great group of people, and it is an honor to walk and work with you during this time in Northwoods history. Let us all be gentle with each other, as we seek to heal and reconcile, and move towards a bright future you will choose together
Rev. Donna
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 Reverend Donna's Phone Number
281-651-4800
Reverend Donna now has a private phone line at the church. The phone number is 281-651-4800. Please save this phone number! Since this is a private line, church members can feel comfortable about leaving sensitive voicemails. Rev. Donna is the only person who can access messages. |
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Mission: Possible!!!
Service Auction Updates
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Mission: Possible!!!
Service Auction Assistance Fund
Each year, the Service Auction offers an Assistance Fund. This fund helps people who otherwise would NOT be able to attend any of the Service Auction events. Thanks to many generous donors there are a variety of Service Auction classes, events for children, dinners, and parties that are available for many to enjoy. Please consider donating to the Assistance Fund so that we all may enjoy! It's a way to gift your love and appreciation to other members and volunteers. For more information, contact Mary Branson while at church or email her at mbranson57@gmail.com. Donations can be made by dropping a check in the collection basket, or in the mail. Checks should be made out to Northwoods and contain "SA Assistance Fund" in the memo field. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please contact Reverend Donna or Mary Branson. You do not have to be a member to qualify. Mission Possible!!!
Announcements Northwoods Service Auction is coming up, so get your contracts in! Come out and play with us October 24th for costumes, food & fun! Look for an extra special Beacon Bits with detailed information to help you make the most of this year's auction. Stop by the Service Auction table between services the next two Sundays 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 nuucserviceauction@gmail.com.
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.
Mission: Possible!!
Details
Date: Saturday October 24, 2015
Costumes: Encouraged but not required
Food: Bring some to share
Fun: Affirmative!
Entertainment Value: Explosive! 
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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.
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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.
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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.
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BOT Meeting Agenda
The Board of Trustees meet this Sunday. A copy of the agenda is available for review here. |
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
Registration
The Cakes for the Queen of Heaven class is filling up fast. If you are interested in taking this class, led by Heather Kaminski, please register by October 11. Contact office@Northwoodsuu.org for more information. |
Lunch and Ooo-la-la
Join us at La Madelaine on the corner of Market Street and Six Pines for a country French lunch. Questions? Ask Beth or Phil Marshall. For weekly updates and photos, check out and like/follow our Facebook page: Lunch Bunch Facebook. |
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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:
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
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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:
Linda Nadler
Chair
Mary Chimarusti Sharon Ossowski
Jeff Graeber
David Shontz
Beth Marshall
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Temporary Chair:
Sharron Ossowski
Membership Coordinator:
Helen Sherwood
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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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 Religious 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 ( re@northwoodsuu.org) 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.
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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.
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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:
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 office@northwoodsuu.org.
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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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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.
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Call for Art! 
Artists! Northwoods is putting out a call for art for our third annual Coming Out for Love event. Art should be appropriately themed (hearts, rainbows, and love!) and family friendly. The deadline for art is Saturday morning, October 10. Drop off times are Thursday and Friday from 10am to 3pm, or Saturday October 10 before noon. For more information, contact the church office (office@northwoodsuu.org.)
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Millbend Presents
Buddy Mondlock
Saturday, October 10th at 7:30pm
 Buddy Mondlock leaped onto the main stages of the folk scene after winning the New Folk competition at The Kerrville Folk Festival in 1987. Since then he has performed across the US and Europe, and his songs have been recorded on by Nanci Griffith, Garth Brooks, Janis Ian, Joan Baez and many others (including Grammy-winning albums). He delivers his award winning songs with a smooth voice and a warm and captivating stage presence. Buddy will be accompanied by long time friend and touring partner Mike Lindauer, who has a home here in The Woodlands. Jim Kam will open the concert  performing original music on his amazing Chapman Stick.
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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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Save the Date
Saturday, April 2, 2016Northwoods Mega Rummage Sale
Donations being taken now.
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Coming Up At Northwoods
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Thursday October 8, 2015
6:30 PM Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal
Friday October 9, 2015
10:00 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
11:30 AM Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
1:00 PM Board of Trustees
6:00 PM Sangha and Meditation Group - Open to Northwoods Members and Friends
Monday October 12, 2015
7:00 PM Courageously Coed Book Group
Tuesday October 13, 2015
5:00 PM Blue Mountain Meditation
7:00 PM Folk Choir Rehearsal
Thursday October 15, 2015
6:30 PM Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal
7:00 PM Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry Bookmark and Share
US Green Bookmark and Share
Friday October 16, 2015
10:00 AM Northwoods Play Group
Saturday October 17, 2015
10:00 AM Women's Book Group
Sunday October 18, 2015
2:00 PM CUUPS Meeting
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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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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
Church Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 am- 3pm
Coordinator of Lifespan Faith Development: Jennifer Simpson
re@northwoodsuu.orgPhone 281-298-2780
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