Ponderings
Our newsletter, Ponderings, comes out at the beginning of each month. You can read the latest edition here. You will need the Adobe® Reader® to open the PDF file. You can download for free from adobe.com.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
December 2008
Coming Services
Sunday Service at 11:15 AM
December 7, 2008 Rev. Beedle
Giving Presence
Merchandise makes the holiday season extraordinary, but what makes it special?
We hope you'll be present for the Hanging of the Greens, at 4:00 PM !
December 14, 2008 Rev. Beedle
Service Is Our Prayer
To be a Unitarian Universalist is to make one's life a prayer. Service is an important part of that.
December 21, 2008 Rev. Beedle
intergenerational worship
Winter Solstice
Come experience the power of the solstice season!
December 24, 2008 Rev. Beedle Wednesday evening at 7:00
Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols
Join us for our annual service of les-sons and carols, this year featuring a story by N. Scott Momaday.
December 28, 2008 Bud Mayr
Have You Had a Spiritual Experience?
What are spiritual experiences? How do they help to define the nature of Soul and your direct, personal relationship with God? Learn about an ancient spiritual exercise to more fully open your heart to the richness of life's experiences and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your daily life. Mr. Mayr is an Eckankar cleric who has been studying the teachings of Eckankar for many years.
Coming Adult Discussions
Sundays at 10:00 AM
December 7, 2008
Proposition 8 and the Quest for Dignity and Respect
National attention has recently been re-focused on California 's Proposition 8 by the movie Milk . Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk, San Francisco 's (and the country's) first openly gay politician. Please join us, first to see the movie (together or separately) at the River Oaks Theatre, and then to discuss it along with relevant issues affecting our congregation and community. Watch for TUUCannounce-ments about group excursion time(s).
December 14, 2008 Betty Johnson
Conservation as a Spiritual Practice
"Even if civilization on Earth stops polluting the biosphere with greenhouse gases, humanity could eventually be awash in too much heat, namely, the dissipated heat by-product generated by any nonrenewable energy source." One way out may be the prac-tice of "environmental tithing" (www.sierraclub.org/sierra/199811/
last.asp and www.stolaf.edu/green/report/status/3.html ). A "seed" for this discussion is the graph in an article online at www.tufts.edu [enter “Wright Center Eos July 8” in the search box].
December 21, 2008
Christianity, Buddhism, and the Core Myths of Asian Religions
All around the world at this time of year there seem to be surpris-ingly many religious celebrations that have similar aspects. Joseph Campbell, the great teacher of comparative religion, said it should not be surprising because they are all rooted in the same wisdom and the same forces within us and stresses on us that we share as humans. We will start with a few words on DVD by Joseph Camp-bell from his The Inward Path, and then discuss some of the ques-tions, insights, and experiences of our members.
December 28, 2008
Recalling 2008: The Best of Times and the Worst of Times
The year 2008 was a time of great change nationally and globally, but what was it like for you personally? Please join us as we recap the past year from your personal point of view. What was the best for you, the worst for you, and why? What were your resolutions (if any) and what about next year's? Let's take out the crystal ball for 2009...
Children's FD Topics for December
Chalice Children: (3, 4, 5 year olds)
12/7 – Helping Others – The children use the idea of someone being sick as a vehicle for identifying ways to help others.
12/14 – How Many Days Until Christmas? – The children focus on Christmas as the day Jesus was born; and learn that sometimes it is necessary to wait and prepare for good things.
12/21 – Intergenerational Service
12/28 – Candles for Winter Holidays – The children hear stories about winter celebrations with candles and make candle holders.
Moral Tales: (1 st – 5 th Graders)
12/7 – In Another's Shoes I – The children learn that an important part of acting out of goodness is to look at things from other perspectives than one's own.
12/14 – In Another's Shoes II – The children hear a story about two brothers and practice empathetic listening.
12/21 – Intergenerational Service
12/28 – Forgiveness I – The children concentrate on the importance of forgiveness and use sand to practice “letting go” of old hurts.
Compass Points: (Middle, High School)
12/7 – “Hospitality – That's Radical!” – The youth hear a story of radical hospitality and consider its implications for their religious journey and their lives.
12/14 – “Images of the Divine” – The youth consider the diverse images and ideas of a divine presence found around the world and in the popular culture.
12/21 – Intergenerational Service
12/28 – “Where Does Our Congregation Stand?” – The youth prepare and take a poll of the congregation to find out what members believe about God.
Children's Events December 13, 23, 30
Norma Gonzales and Rosaria Guerrero will offer a Kid's Day Out on Saturday, December 13, from 8:00 AM until 1:00 Pm in the FD wing. On Tuesdays December 23 and 30, they will offer Movie Night at the FD Wing beginning at 7:00 PM. Contact Norma at dfdnorma@yahoo.com for more info and costs.
Hanging of the Greens December 7
Our annual “Hanging of the Greens” is planned for Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM , December 7. The Adult Choir, the Yellow Dog Howlers, My Dad's Band, and the Children's Choir will all take part in this program. Please mark your calendars and save that time to celebrate with your Thoreau friends and family.
Women's Book Club December 8
Christmas Potluck Dinner Party
Date: Monday, December 8, 6:00 PM
Where: The home of Janice Milo, 2711 Pecan Ridge Dr. , Sugar Land
What to Bring: A children's book for SEARCH'S House of Tiny Treasures (unwrapped) and a
new or gently used book to share with another book club member (wrapped)
Contact Janice Milo for coordination of potluck dishes.
BirthdaysCelebration December 11
October-November-December birthdays will be celebrated jointly on Thursday, December 11, starting at 5:45 PM. Meet at Live Oak Grill (on Dairy Ashford north of Hwy 90) to help celebrate our Thoreau birthdays. Contact Joanie Havlick for further info.
Ten Thousand Villages Fundraiser for Thoreau December 12
Mark your calendars! On Friday, Dec-ember 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM , Ten Thousand Villages will offer a shopping night to benefit Thoreau. We receive 15% of net sales!
Ten Thousand Villages , 2424 Rice Blvd (in Rice Village ), is a nonprofit, fair trade, self-supporting organization marketing hand-made products from arti-ans in third world countries. Items in the shop include candles, table-cloths, baskets, jewelry, vases, bowls, pillows, stationery, puzzles, sculptures, musical instruments, rugs, purses and totes, shawls, book-marks, and frames (see www.villageshouston.com). Lots of unique holiday items are available at this time.
For further information, please contact Cleo Richard at 281-835-8807 . She needs a few volunteers to help bag items and to help with refreshments.
Musician Jack Williams at Thoreau Coffeehouse December 12
Michael Crouch
Thoreau UU's Coffeehouse will host Jack Williams on Friday, December 12, at 8:00 PM . He is an uncommonly unique guitarist who's performed on the Philadelphia and Kerrville main stages among many others, and also toured much of Europe . His band backed up the Shirelles, the Drifters, and the Platters. Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary) describes him as “the best guitar player I've ever heard.” Check out his music at www.jackwilliamsmusic.com.
Our own Chuck Elliott will open at 8:00 PM , with Jack Williams at 8:30 . Suggested donation is $15 at the door, with proceeds going to Thoreau's Social Action group. Refreshments will be available. Volunteer help is needed …if you can help with set-up, refreshments, admissions, CD sales table, etc, please contact Michael Crouch (michael.crouch46@gmail.com).
Sign Up Now for Fort Bend Family Promise Week December 14 - 21
Valerie Tolman
Thoreau members will have another chance to help homeless families in Fort Bend County this month. TUUC is scheduled to be the host congregation for Fort Bend Family Promise from Sunday December 14 to Saturday December 21. This program, which helps homeless families in Fort Bend County , relies on local churches to provide lodging, meals and rides for client families until they can get back on their feet. The Program assists homeless families by offering financial and budgeting counseling, help with job searches, and a haven while they get their lives back on track.
There are currently four families in the Family Promise program: Lisa and Elijah, age 16; Marconi and Demetrius, age 3; Rhee and, Estelle 16, Stacee 12, and Corinne 10; and Sharon and Hakim 16 and Kamilah 14.
Most churches host the families at their church, but because TUUC doesn't have the facilities for that, the families stay at a local hotel during our week. Volunteers are needed to provide food for breakfast and lunch, to bring dinner to the Family Center located near Lexington and Murphy Road , and to provide transportation in the morning and evening from the Sun Suites to the Family Center . Monetary donations to help pay for lodgings are also welcome.
Thoreauvians who volunteered the last time we hosted a week for Fort Bend Family Promise said they not only enjoyed the experience, but they thought it was a worthwhile endeavor. It is a great way to reach out to people in our community who need some help. If you have not already been a volunteer for the pro-gram, you will be required to submit an application and there will be a background check. There is also an orientation video for new volunteers.
Please contact Valerie Tolman at davaltolman@gmail.com or Norma Gonzales at dfdnorma@yahoo.com if you would like to volunteer for one of the spots. There is also a sign-up sheet on the calendar bulletin board in the Fellowship Wing.
Dr. John Lienhard to Speak December 14
Dr. John H. Lienhard, author and KUHF radio personality, is probably best known as host of the popular syndicated public radio series, The Engines of Our Ingenuity . He will present the 2008 Joseph Priestley lecture Aeroplanes In & Out of World War I: Looking for the TRUE Mother of Invention at 12:30 PM , Sunday, December 14, at First UU Church, 5200 Fannin. The lecture is free, open to the public and appropriate for the whole family. A reception and book signing will follow the lecture.
Long Range Plan Town Hall Meeting December 14
Betty Johnson, Planning Committee
In October, the Board appointed this year's Planning Committee to assist the Board and other governing bodies of the congregation with the implementation of an annual planning and assessment process. This work emerges from our Long Range Planning effort, including the construction of our Values and Vision Statement and the congregational assessment completed last year.
Other members of the Planning Committee include Michael Crouch (VP and Program Council), Dave Elias (Treasurer), Davis Tolman (Nominating), Alicia Zubay (President), Rev. Paul Beedle (ex-officio), and a member of the Committee on Ministry yet to be designated.
We have three main tasks this year:
- Finalize the 7-year Long Range Plan
- Construct a 3-year Strategic Plan
- Assist leaders with the Annual Planning and Assessment process
There will be a Town Hall meeting on Sunday, December 14 after coffee hour to obtain feedback on the 7-year Long Range Plan. The draft Plan Summary builds on our Values and Vision statement, and also incorporates 21 Desired Outcomes set by leaders at our summer Leadership Retreat. We've also included a framework for Ministry at Thoreau that aligns our ministry with the themes of our Values and Visions, as well as a Picture of Thoreau in 2015 that sets out a vision for congregational growth in different areas:
We unite on Sunday to worship, deepen, and celebrate as a community of all ages. Whatever spiritual paths we explore, wherever we are on our personal journeys, whatever ministry feeds our souls, a varied palette of worship and other faith devel-opment activities are employed to appeal to different learning styles and needs as we grow. Additional ministry opportunities throughout the week nourish and support a thriving diverse community whose members cultivate a variety of spiritual practices.
As we grow in numbers and spirit, we will establish a strong liberal religious presence and impact in Ft. Bend County . We will be well regarded as a community whose actions manifest our values.
We will build the capacity to serve this growing community with a full-time called minister, at least 1.5 additional full-time-equivalent professional staff, all working in strong collaboration with laity.
We envision a congregation with over 170 members, consistently attracting a similar number through our doors each week . We will be functioning in our own facility that can accommodate a membership as large as 220.
By 2015, the end of this long range planning period, Thoreau will be a well-function-ing “program-sized” UU congregation, serving Fort Bend County and the surrounding area.
Our Long Range Plan is intentionally adaptive and organic. It also incorporates a number of appendices to be used and up-dated by leaders as needed:
- Plan Summary
- 7-year Planning Framework
- 3-year Strategic Plan (to be constructed later this year)
- Annual Operating Plan (to be updated each year)
- Roles & Responsibilities defined by our leadership covenant
- Description of the annual planning and assessment cycle
Copies of the draft Plan Summary will be available for pick-up at the church starting December 3. A few notebooks containing drafts of all the appendices will also be available in the community area for viewing. You can request copies of the summary or any of the appendices by email to bbetty_77479@ yahoo.com .
Make “Herstory” with International Women
Volunteer Planning Meeting on December 14
Imagine over 400 UU women lay leaders, clergy, and others from around the world (17 countries so far, including Romania, Kenya, Uganda, the Philippines, Japan, India) all gathering in Houston February 26 - March 1!
Representatives and volunteers are needed from all Houston area UU congregations to help with publicity, home hospitality, musical entertainment, exhibitor registration promotion, 'citizen photographers and journalists,' and more. Call 713-524-5608 for more information, and consider attending the December 14 meeting at First UU, 1:30-3:30 in Room 302. Check out the website at www.icuuw.com for other volunteer information.
Zs ófia Sztranyiczki from Romania writes, "What I would like women from other countries to know about my country is our way of life, our own mentality, things we are proud of, and the problems that we are facing as women, as citizens of Romania and as part of the EU." Keynote speaker Rev. Rebecca Sienes from the Philippines states, "Gathered together, women can improve lives. Educated together, women can produce important changes in society."
Other People's Holidays December 20, 21, 27, 28
Increasingly, the winter season is one of other people's holidays. Thanksgiving – a national holiday – belongs to all of us. Then comes the December parade of holidays. It's a great opportunity to learn more about our neighbors, to learn what religion is, and perhaps to develop our individual spiritual paths.
On December 20, 21, 27 and 28 we'll offer a special winter holidays series called Holipalooza for our children. These special classes, led by Norma Gonzales and Rosalia Guerrero, will be held in addition to our regular Sunday FD classes. I encourage all our families to plan to have your children participate, for a richer religious experience this holiday season. Contact Norma at dfdnorma@yahoo.com for more information.
Ethnic Dining December 20
Think globally, eat locally! Let's do Indian! Take a break from the holiday bustle and join your fellow Thoreauvians for a southern Indian buffet at Pavani Indian Cuisine, at 6:30 PM , Saturday, December 20. Pavani is conveniently located at 10554 Southwest Fwy , on the north feeder road just east of the Beltway. No RSVP necessary, just come on out and have fun. Hosted by Mike McInerney.
Gypsy Tribal Dance
Donna Dauria-Burleigh
Due to everyone's hectic schedule, Tribal Gypsy Dance will have no classes in December. Holidays blessings to all! Keep shimmy-and-shakin' and I'll see you in January.
Regular Meetings
Visitors to meetings are always welcome. Contact persons listed will be happy to answer any questions.
The Board Meeting is held at 7:00 on the third Wednesday, December 17. All are welcome. Alicia Zubay almaq54@yahoo.com
The Book Discussion Group meets on dates decided by the group, at 7:30 at the homes of members. J. Gandee john@mrfortbend.com
The Cinema Circle usually meets on the second Friday, but will not meet in December. Cassey Crouch casseyster@gmail.com
The CRS (Can't Remember “Stuff”) Group usually meets on the third Friday. Janice Milo janicemilo@msn.com
The Choir will practice on Tuesdays December 2 and 16 at 7:30 at the home of Ruth Strittmatter. Suzie Marion Suzannemarion@comcast.net
The Committee on Ministry meets monthly on varying dates.
The Deep Ecology Book Circle meets on the third Thursday, December 18, at 7:00 . Glenn Laird glennwlaird@cs.com
The Ethnic Dining group will meet at Pavani's on Saturday December 20 at 6:30 . Mike McInerney mkmci@swbell.net
The Faith Development Committee meets on the second Wednesday, December 10, at 7:00 . D. Dauria-Burleigh ddonnadb@comcast.net
The Finance Committee meets on the second Wednesday, December 10, at 7:00 . Mary Mijal numerate@earthlink.net
The Green Sanctuary Committee usually meets on the fourth Thursday at 7:00 but will not meet this month. N. Thomas njthomas@yahoo.com
The Gypsy Tribal Dance Group will not meet in December. Donna Dauria-Burleigh ddonnadb@aol.com
The Lunch Bunch usually meets on the first Sunday but will not meet in December. Penny Sullivan pbsul@sbcglobal.net
The Membership Committee meets on the sec-ond Wednesday, December 10, at 7:00 . Cassey Crouch casseyster@gmail.com
The Men's Group meets on the first Thursday, December 4 and January 1, at 7:00 . Location will vary. James Hampton jjhampton@wind stream.net The Program Council meets on the first Wednesday, December 3, at 7:00 . Michael Crouch michael.crouch46@gmail.comThe Social Action Committee meets on an as-needed basis. Valerie Tolman davaltolman @gmail.com
The Women's Book Club will meet on the second Monday, December 8, at 7:00 at the Milo home. Janice Milo janicemilo@msn.com
The Worship Committee meets on the third Wednesday, December 17, at 7:30 . Nancy Warren njwphd@gmail.com
Celebrating Our Living Tradition January 4
Patti Withers, DFD
Pre-School - 5 th Grade
On the first Sunday of the New Year, we will recognize and celebrate the ways we've grown and changed in the past year – skills learned, mile-stones achieved, birthdays and more. If your child(ren) accomplished something memorable – lost a first tooth, learned to ride a bike, began piano lessons, etc. – please let me know. We'll recognize everyone for something, and celebrate the birthdays of the coming year with a cake.
Conscious Acts of Grace January 4
It takes courage to enter into stories about dying. This taboo subject is usually avoided at all costs. On Sunday, January 4 , Thoreau will welcome Liza Ely, who will offer a workshop on the subject of her recent book Conscious Acts of Grace - A Collection of End-of-Life Stories. You are invited to proceed gently with an open heart , knowing you are a pioneer in bringing life into death. With an opportunity to share with others and to experience peace and support, the following topics are explored: Listening, Support, Dignity, Faith, Letting Go, Forgiveness and then some. The workshop will be held 1:00-4:00 PM following our worship service at which Ely will also present the sermon on this topic. Sign up for the workshop on the sheet posted in the Faith Development Wing. For further information, contact Joe Sullivan at 281-342-8133 or jesull96@aol.com .
Liza Ely, MS, is a licensed professional counselor and contributor to More Random Acts of Kind-ness. Her book and her CD, Breathe in Life , provide positive alternatives when faced with a loss of a loved one. Liza shares tools for living our best life. For several years, she was on the staff of our Southwest District's Dwight Brown Leadership School .
Thoreau Coffeehouses January 17, 24
The Thoreau Coffeehouse will host two Saturdays in January with Jim Post, the Houston-born folk singer, composer, playwright and actor. Jim Post: Channeling Mark Twain will be offered on Saturday January 17 at 7:30 PM. “Jim Post [performing as Mark Twain] mines heartfelt hilarity from the earlier days of our most American writer.” -- Chicago Tribune
On Saturday, January 24 at 7:30 PM , Post will perform as himself. “His songs and monologs, whether serious or witty, fell as naturally on the ear as everyday conversation.”
-- Chicago Sun-Times
Envisioning Inclusive Excellence February 6-8
Joe Sullivan
Our UUA's 7th National Midsize Congregations Conference will be in Houston February 6-8 at the Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel in the Galleria area. This will be a rare opportunity to participate in a national UUA conference right here in our home town. In addition to the keynote theme, the program will include workshops on outreach and growth, justice-making, leadership skills, stewardship, and a session on the future of our UUA General Assembly. For information on the program and registration, see the UUA website at www.uua.org/events/midsizecongregations/2009 . If you are interested in attending on behalf of Thoreau, please contact Alicia Zubay or another board member.
Social Action Calendar 2008-09
Val Tolman
The Social Action Committee met in August and planned volunteer and community outreach opportunities for the next year. Take some time to look over the proposed calendar of activities below and see which look the most interesting to you and you might like to get involved with. As we get closer to each event, we will provide more information, but if you have any questions now or if you see something that really speaks to you and you want to offer to get more involved, please feel free to talk to any member of the committee: Valerie Tolman, Cassey Crouch, John Speer, Joanne Speer, Joanie Havlik, Janice Milo, and Johanna DeYoung.
