The 

Beacon 

Bits

A weekly publication of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church

NW Color Logo w Name  
    

November 11, 2015 

 
 
Greetings!   


We hope that you can join us on

Sunday, November 15, 2015 for

If by God You Mean...

by  Interim Minister
Donna Renfro

Member Reflection by
Hallie Moore
 
with music by
Folk Choir


Religious Education this Sunday:

9:30 service and 11:30 Services:
Children in kindergarten through 6th grade will attend Children's Chapel in Garden Room.   
Childcare for our youngest friends is available in the childcare room.
 
Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table.


Adult Forum in the Garden Room, between services:

Updates on Religious Education
by Brenda Hutchinson 
 

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,

We are having the second in a sermon series on God this week, and Hallie Moore will provide the member reflection. This worship service will focus on the ways that God does and does not have meaning for us in our Unitarian Universalist religion. More great and somewhat edgy music this week too, from the Folk Choir.
I just want you to know, that for a member reflection, I give a direction for topic, and do not see the reflection before it's spoken. I am awed that last week Wally Gardner talked of liking my sermons, and hoping I could stay beyond the two years specified in my interim contract. The interim time is meant to help a congregation to heal from any grief from the last settled ministry, to look at ministry and functioning of the church generally and specifically, and to be ready to have a healthy shared ministry with a called minister. We evaluate the process in February and June of the first year of the interim ministry, and June of the second year. There is a team to help with this process, and we'll be telling you more about that. Members of the team are Hallie Moore, chair, Dorothy Kennedy, Susan Hammond, Gay Lynn Pierce, and Rob Wiley.
I have been taking it slow in the interim tasks, because I've felt you needed a little longer to get used to having a minister again, after an unusually long time of not having a minister. When a minister leaves for any reason, there is a grief process congregants have to navigate. I've asked you to think about where you are in the process, realizing that the Dia de los Muertos service on Nov. 1 may have brought up grief in many forms. I have a graphic for you to look at and think of where you are. I invite you to come talk with me about it on Wednesday November 18, either 1-3pm or 7-9pm. We'll meet in the Garden Room.
 
Peace and blessings,

Rev. Donna


 
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.
 
Foundational Ministry
UU Network of Houston Luncheon
 
The UU Network of Houston is hosting a Leadership Luncheon and Workshops for all area Unitarian Universalists on Saturday, November 14 from 11am to 3pm at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church (in the Westwood Hall Building.) A light lunch will be provided, during which Rev. Bonnie Vegiard will talk on the UU Voice for Justice activities, and a video presentation will be made by Natalie Briscoe and Rev. Carlton Elliot Smith on social justice in the Southern Region.
 
Three workshops will follow the luncheon:
  • UUV4J four "Action Alert" Issues
  • Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry (TXUUJM) Activities  [Rev. Chuck Freeman, Executive Director]
  • UUV4J "Action Alert" Training for those who have not completed it or want a refresher 
This conference is  open to all Unitarian Universalists in the Houston are. For more information and to RSVP by November 13, 2015, click here.

 
 
UUA's Fall Conference
Glen Rose, Texas
November 13th - 15th, 2015

The theme for this year's UUA Fall Conference is "Into the FUUture!" We will be exploring the 21st century church from a variety viewpoints, including youth ministry, mission and vision, cultural changes, congregational faith development, and relationship! This year is a great opportunity to chart a course for the future of your congregation and get tools for bringing your values into the world.

Tracks:
  • Are We There Yet? Planning As Spiritual Practice with Rev. Susan M. Smith
  • Compassionate Communication: An Introduction with Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith and Carrie Stewart
  • Facilitating Cultural Change with Kathy McGowan and Lewis Morris
  • Youth Ministry for the 21st Century with our NEW team of Youth Ministry Consultants
  • Covenant, Conflict, Community with Connie Goodbread
  • Young Adult Convocation with Montana Steele
  • EvolUUtion Camp, a Unitarian Universalist Creation Camp with Sean Briscoe and Rachel Finley (Ages 5 - 14)
  • The Littles with Tina Harmuth (Under 5 years)

For full program descriptions and registration, click here.

If you are interested in attending or know that you are going to attend,please contact Rev. Donna at 281-298-2780.
 
Spiritual Life
Sermon Series Continues

This Sunday will be our second sermon in the 5-week sermon series, "God is not a 4-letter word." This series is designed to:

-   Affirm our commitment to our 4th principle, "Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations."

-   Openly discuss differences between our humanist and theist congregants, while affirming that we're not all that different.

-   Recognizing that there is no "agenda" for more god, less god, or anything to do with favoring one set of beliefs over another.

*** In support of this series, we are looking for a guest speaker for Sunday November 29th. Please contact Rusty Rhoad to express your interest. [email protected]
December Music

This year we will be resurrecting (sorry, wrong season) our old Christmas Eve tradition of opening up the music to people or groups who don't get regular opportunities to perform. Vocal or instrumental numbers; families welcome. If you are interested, or just want more information, please contact Rusty Rhoad.

Also, Larry Loomis-Price will be forming and directing a traditional choir to make a special guest appearance at the services. If you would like to be a part of the grand tradition of polyphonic Christmas music, contact Larry.

 
Ever Wanted to Give a Sermon?

The Worship Arts team has a list of members who are interested in speaking at Northwoods on Sundays when the minister is out of the pulpit, and wants to make sure that it includes everybody who wants to be on it (frankly, it's a little out of date). Contact Rusty Rhoad with your idea for a sermon or for more information.
 
Congregational Life
Welcome, Barbara!

Barbara Madera is the new Chair of Congregational Life. Welcome, Barbara, and thank you for filling this important position.
 
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.
 
Thank You, Daniel!

If you've been to church lately surely you have noticed our gorgeous new name tag holder. A special thanks goes out to Daniel Silva for crafting the name tag cabinet. It will be used and cherished by many Northwoods friends and members for many, many years.


Artists Reception
Stop, Shop, and Listen
 
 Artists host a reception at the Avant Garden Gallery on Saturday, November 14 from 6pm to 7:30pm. Members of the church and the community, and friends and fans of the artists are invited to see the art. This will be a special holiday reception, with plenty of "smalls" that make perfect holiday gifts. This is a show you won't want to miss. The artists really came through for Northwoods, and paintings and photographs are spilling out into the hallway. It's our biggest show yet!

Stay after the reception for a feast for ears with Paper Moon Shiners at Millbend Coffee House.

Save the date for our second holiday reception on Saturday, December 12, followed by a special performance of Northwoods musicians at Millbend.

 Northwoods Blood Drive
Saturday, November 28
2:30pm - 7:00pm

Northwoods will be hosting a blood drive on Saturday, November 28. A free t-shirt will be given to anyone who even attempts to donate.

Schedule your appointment today! Contact Cyndie ([email protected]) or schedule online.
Mediterranean With the Lunch Bunch?

On Sunday, November 15, the Lunch Bunch will go to Lama Mediterranean Caf� at 1500 Research Forest Drive in Shenandoah after the second service. Join us!

Questions? Ask Beth or Phil Marshall.

For weekly updates and photos, check out and like/follow our Facebook page: Lunch Bunch Facebook.

 
REMinistryReligious Education
Christmas Pageant Rehearsals

This year our children will be performing The Best Christmas Pageant Ever on December 13.  Keri Richards will be directing again. If your
child is interested in participating please contact Keri at [email protected]. Rehearsals will be on November 15, 22, 29 and December 6. All children will be invited to participate as part of the choir. These rehearsals will take place during RE class times.
 
 
SEE Justice
Millbend Coffeehouse Presents
Paper Moon Shiners
November 14th   7:30pm

Paper Moon Shiners are an Austin-based duo. They specialize in covering vintage music from the Victrola/Vaudeville era, while sprinkling in some original compositions written in the vintage spirit. The band is Elena Antinelli on vocals and Frank Meyer on vocals, guitar, dobro, ukulele and the invisible kazoo. Their old-timey sensibility and vaudeville undertones command an infectiously entertaining evening with a blend of cracker blues, vintage jazz, swing, ragtime, Americana roots and folk. Like the movie classic, O Brother, Where Art Thou, Paper Moon Shiners breathe life back into the songs of days gone by.

Dress honky tonk and speakeasy! CHILDCARE IS AVAILABLE - call if you need it.  Fill the Gap manages the kitchen-- expect homemade treats.  

To RSVP for childcare, or to reserve a seat, contact Teresa (281) 350-3052.

 
SEE Justice Meeting

There will be a meeting of SEE Justice Committee on Sunday, November 13 after the second service in the Garden Room.  We will discuss ongoing projects and seek new projects for the coming winter season.  If you have ideas or want to participate in any way,
please plan to attend.  The meeting will last no more than one hour.

 
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. 
 
Community Events

Calendar, Beacon Bits Submission Policy,
and Contact Information

Save the Date

Saturday, April 2, 2016
Northwoods Mega Rummage Sale
Donations being taken now.


Coming Up At Northwoods

Wednesday November 11, 2015
7:00 PM        Music Rehearsal

Thursday November 12, 2015
12:00 PM    Toastmasters
6:30 PM        Paul Klein & Klay Vage

Friday November 13, 2015
10:00 AM    Northwoods Play Group

Saturday November 14, 2015
10:00 AM    The Humanist Group
6:00 PM        Artists Reception
7:30 PM        Millbend Coffeehouse

Sunday November 15, 2015
12:30 PM    SEE Justice Meeting
1:00 PM        Music Rehearsal

Monday November 16, 2015
7:00 PM        Northwoods Writers' Group .

Tuesday November 17, 2015
10:00 AM    Yoga Class [email protected]
5:00 PM        Blue Mountain Meditation
7:00 PM        Folk Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday November 18, 2015
7:00 PM        Music Rehearsal

Thursday November 19, 2015
6:30 PM        Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal
7:00 PM        Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry

Friday November 20, 2015
10:00 AM    Northwoods Play Group

Saturday November 21, 2015
10:00 AM    Women's Book Group
1:00 PM        Music Rehearsal

Sunday November 22, 2015
1:00 PM        Committee on Ministry
6:00 PM        Sangha and Meditation 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
 
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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